PENNSYLVANIA — Richard “Dick” Wood Jr., the former President, CEO and Chairman of Wawa, has died at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that helped transform the Pennsylvania-based company into one of the nation’s most recognized convenience store chains.
According to his family, Wood passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 10.
A member of the family behind Wawa’s founding, Wood dedicated more than five decades of his life to the company. He joined Wawa in 1970 as its first General Counsel before becoming President in 1977, Chief Executive Officer in 1980, and later Chairman of the Board.
Under his leadership, Wawa experienced tremendous growth, expanding from a regional convenience store chain into a beloved brand with more than 1,100 locations serving customers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and other states.
Wood helped guide many of the company’s biggest milestones, including expanding Wawa’s food service offerings, introducing fuel service at stores, growing 24-hour operations, and strengthening the company’s commitment to customer service and employee ownership.
Beyond business, Wood was widely respected for his dedication to philanthropy and community service. He supported numerous charitable organizations throughout the region, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and several educational and civic initiatives.
For millions of Pennsylvanians, Wawa has become more than just a convenience store—it’s part of everyday life. From morning coffee runs to late-night hoagie stops, the company’s impact on communities throughout the Commonwealth has been shaped in large part by Wood’s vision and leadership.
Following his retirement from day-to-day operations, Wood remained active with the company as Chairman before later being named Chairman Emeritus.
His contributions to Wawa, its employees, and the communities it serves leave behind a lasting legacy that will continue to influence the company for generations to come.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.
